New Balance is best-known for making fitness apparel and footwear. New Balance treadmills, which have been discontinued, were licensed to Fitness Quest, and the only resemblance they bear to other New Balance products is the name. Professional reviews indicate that the New Balance treadmills were, in general, reasonably priced and reasonably durable and well-made. But, like any other complicated gadget with many moving parts, problems are bound to crop up.
Warranty
A review from Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews indicates that New Balance treadmills were a solid value, but come with a relatively weak warranty. The New Balance 1500, for example, had a one-year parts warranty as compared to the three-year warranty you could get for other treadmills at the same price point. The New Balance motor warranty was more impressive; most models came with a minimum of 10 years coverage for the motor.
Customer Service
Customer support calls to New Balance were routed through Fitness Quest, which is notorious for poor customer service. Lack of communication and slow response times were common consumer complaints about the New Balance/Fitness Quest customer service department. A review by Treadmill Doctor implies that the Fitness Quest reputation for customer service may have been, at least in part, responsible for the discontinuation of New Balance treadmills.
Under-Powered
Higher-end New Balance treadmills could stand up to the heavier demands of regular running. But low-end treadmills like the New Balance 1200 were consistently cited as good for walking, not running. This is true of most low-end treadmills; if you expect your treadmill to hold up to repeated strenuous running workouts, you must be willing to invest in a strong motor and sturdy running deck.
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